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Story Ideas for Media 4/10/12

News

Ohio State increases financial aid by $50 million. The Ohio State University announced Friday (4/6) a $50 million increase in student financial aid over the next four years. The initiatives include new scholarships and grants that will help additional students attend the university each year. Ohio State provost Joseph Alutto outlined the initiatives as part of a presentation to the university’s Board of Trustees to guide the university to become a top 10 public comprehensive research university within the next 10 years.The plan includes a new merit scholarship program - Ohio State's most prestigious yet - and increased grants to financially needy students. The new scholarship program, "Eminence Scholars," provides four-year, full ride scholarships, plus a $3,000 one-time stipend to 50 highly qualified students annually. The award is being offered for the first time this year to high-achieving high school seniors. SEE:http://www.osu.edu/news/newsitem3385CONTACT: Shelly Hoffman (614) 247-4748 or hoffman.511@osu.edu.

Research

Internet use promotes democracy best in countries that are already partially free. Researchers at Ohio State University found that the internet spurs pro-democratic attitudes most in countries that already have introduced some reforms in that direction.“Instead of the internet promoting fundamental political change, it seems to reinforce political change in countries that already have at least some level of democratic freedoms,” said Erik Nisbet, lead author of the study and assistant professor of communication at Ohio State University.Based on the results of the study, Nisbet said there are some countries that currently appear to have the right political and technological mix for the internet to play a role in social and political change. Those countries include Kenya, Senegal, Uganda, Singapore and Zambia.“Our results suggest that the internet can’t plant the seed of democracy in a country,” Nisbet said. “However, the internet may help democracy flourish if it has already started to grow.”SEE: